A Canadian researcher whose conviction in Algeria was denounced by human rights groups has been released from prison after a court reduced his sentence.
Raouf Farrah’s lawyer said the appeals court in Constantine, eastern Algeria, reduced the prison sentence from two years to eight months. Mr. Farrah, who had been detained since February, was released on Thursday after serving the entire reduced sentence.
Me Kouceila Zerguine says Mr. Farrah’s release represents a relief, but not a victory: he now wants the Algerian Supreme Court to overturn the guilty verdict.
Mr. Farrah said in a telephone interview that he was looking forward to being reunited with his wife, four-year-old daughter and parents.
The former Montreal resident, who studies migration and criminal economies for an international non-governmental organization, was found guilty of publishing secret information and being paid to commit offenses “that could undermine public order.” public” in Algeria.
Mr. Farrah’s employer, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, says it is pleased with the reduced sentence, but believes the charges against him were initially baseless.